Abilene TX vs Sparks NV — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Abilene, TX
Texas · Population: 127,130
- Median HH Income$62,720
- Median Home Price$214,916
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+27.1%
Sparks, NV
Nevada · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$530,668
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Abilene
127,130
Sparks
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Abilene
N/A
Sparks
N/A
Median Age
Abilene
32.8
Sparks
N/A
Foreign Born
Abilene
7.4%
Sparks
N/A
White
Abilene
66.6%
Sparks
N/A
Black
Abilene
10.3%
Sparks
N/A
Asian
Abilene
2.3%
Sparks
N/A
Hispanic
Abilene
26.9%
Sparks
N/A
Spanish at Home
Abilene
N/A
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,130 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.8 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | N/A | - |
| White | 66.6% | N/A | - |
| Black | 10.3% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 2.3% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 26.9% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Abilene
$62,720
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Income
Abilene
$31,019
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Abilene
$63,758
Abilene +
Sparks
$62,696
Unemployment Rate
Abilene
2.7%
Sparks
N/A
Poverty Rate
Abilene
14.8%
Sparks
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Abilene
27.1%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,720 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $31,019 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $62,696 | Abilene + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 14.8% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.1% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Abilene
$214,916
Abilene +
Sparks
$530,668
Homeownership Rate
Abilene
55.6%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $214,916 | $530,668 | Abilene + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
442
Abilene +
Sparks
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
2339
Abilene +
Sparks
2417
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 460 | Abilene + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 2417 | Abilene + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
35.3%
Sparks
28.6%
Sparks +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
11.9%
Sparks
9.8%
Sparks +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Abilene
18.8%
Sparks
18.1%
Sparks +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Abilene
17.5%
Sparks
13.8%
Sparks +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Abilene
18.0%
Abilene +
Sparks
18.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Abilene
13.9%
Sparks
12.9%
Sparks +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.3% | 28.6% | Sparks + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 9.8% | Sparks + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 18.1% | Sparks + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 13.8% | Sparks + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 18.7% | Abilene + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 12.9% | Sparks + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
63.9°F
Sparks
52.4°F
Sparks +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
27.2 in
Sparks
8.3 in
Sparks +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | 52.4°F | Sparks + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.2 in | 8.3 in | Sparks + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Abilene
9.2 µg/m³
Sparks
5.2 µg/m³
Sparks +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Abilene
55.0%
Sparks
75.0%
Sparks +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Sparks + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Sparks + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Abilene
16.5 min
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | Abilene, TX | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.5 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Abilene offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $214,916. On public safety, Abilene is safer with a violent crime rate of 442 per 100,000 residents, compared to 460 in Sparks. Sparks has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sparks scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.6%.
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